June 2018 Openings Closings & News

The new UWS burger joint has been struggling to survive its $13,000 monthly rent (not to mention the almost $60,000 per year for hashgacha and mashgiach costs). We were told if they do not see a change, they will have to think about closing. We put out a plea to our Facebook Foodie Community for feedback and help to see if we can keep this place alive and they came in droves. One successful week does not get them out of the black, but it's a start. We need to support our neighborhood restaurants and give them fighting a chance. And don't go because you feel bad for them, go because they offer a good burger at a good price. In an effort to gather a crowd Elon Gold stopped in before his Stand Up NY performance and Eli Leibowicz did a stand-up performance for the GKRF mini-meat up there. Furthermore, if there is someone who is interested in taking over the place or would perhaps want to be an investor/partner with some other ideas, please let me know. Located at: 426 Amsterdam Avenue (off West 80th), New York, NY. Phone: (212) 362-7386.

The Los Angeles-based chain, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which has more than 1,200 shops globally, plans to open 100 franchise locations in New York over the next 10 years. It will open its first stores in Manhattan this year.

Dixie BBQ in Aventura, FL has taken over the location at 1316 Avenue J (formerly of Dougie's) in Flatbush. The eatery, which specializes in burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken and shakes, to open after the 9 Days at the end of July. Foozo Pizza, which is also opening a branch on Ave J, should be opening after Sukkos. Stay tuned for more details.

Congratulations to our good friend Janie Chaz, who is the new pastry chef at Glatt a la Carte! Come on in and check out her delectable treats. Located at: 5123 18th Avenue (entrance on 52nd Street), Brooklyn, NY 11204. Phone: (718) 438-6675. Web: www.NYGlatt.com.

Pescada Carne will be bringing in new partners and taking a month off to redo the bar area and floor. The Brooklyn restaurant will then be called "Pescada Steakhouse" in order to better reflect what the restaurant serves. They figured with many people away and the 9 Days soon approaching, this would be the best time to close and plan on a tentative re-opening date on August 1st.

After 73 years, the non glatt kosher deli closed this Saturday. But we are working hard to revive the location as a glatt kosher deli. Meetings are happening and an investor is interested...Stay tuned for updates.

Holy Schnitzel on Main Street is now serving the impossible burger! And to keep it fully vegan the're being drilled with their own utensils. So to try the new meatless burger the world is going crazy for, come to Holy Schnitzel Queens today! Just in time for the 9 Days. Located at: 72-22 Main Street, Flushing NY 11367. Phone: (718) 793-4659. Web: www.HolySchnitzel.com.

After much anticipation (and the closing of the LA location) the Flushing, Queens MexiKosher location has opened in the former home of Bedford Kitchen. The restaurant is cash only so make sure to stop by the ATM before you stop in for a bite. Located at: 69-44 Main St, Flushing, NY 11367. Phone: (212) 580-6200x718. And soon Bagel Boss will be moving in next door under the supervision of the VHQ.

The Central Avenue burger restaurant is closed for renovations after being ravaged by a fire the other week. Hopefully they will be back in business soon! Graze, the eatery next door, was shut for inspection but reopened shortly after. Located at: 531 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. Phone: (516) 341-7150.

You can now order online with Snap's! Hungry after a long day at Six Flags Great Adventure? Order as you leave the park and you'll have dinner ready by the time you drive the 15 minutes to Snap's. Located at: 84 Hillside Blvd, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Phone: (732) 370-4745. Web: www.SnapsKosher.com.

The organic French cafe near Sesame Place in Newtown has moved out and will soon be re-opening in the Comcast Tower in downtown Philly. Watch for the opening of their new home. Located at: 1701 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

The fine Chinese restaurant closed their doors last week. But the story doesn't end there... China Bistro Express in Hollywood, FL is scheduled to open at the end of July. As for the Aventura residents, there are plans underway to open another location back in Aventura on US 1 which will be a mix between an express and full service sometime in 2019.

MEX Mexican Grill has decided to no longer operate as a kosher establishment. The restaurant is remaining open, but effective June 11 it is NO LONGER kosher certified by Kosher Miami. Located at 16850 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160.

Hasiba is a new Middle Eastern restaurant from Or Amsalam and Alex Phaneuf, the duo behind Lodge Bread Co. in Culver City. The restaurant opened on West Pico Boulevard near La Cienega Boulevard on Friday. Hasiba is named for Amsalam's Moroccan grandmother, and was inspired by a recent trip to Israel. It was designed to mimic a hummusiya, an Israeli neighborhood restaurant that focuses on hummus and pita bread.

MONTREAL

New Cafe Opens in Montreal

At the new Café de L'Avenue, directly across from the Scotia Bank in the Cavendish Mall, they serve a variety of coffees: café filter, macchiato, flat white, red eye, chai latte, espresso shots and many more. You can have a delicious breakfast of bagels, wraps or Greek yogurt. Lunches are a large variety of salads, soupe du jour, quiche and sandwiches. Or if you're looking for something sweet, try the brioche, cakes, tartes, mille feuilles, muffins, cookies or biscuits. Located at: 5800 Cavendish Blvd, Cote Saint Luc, QC H4W. Phone: (514) 485-2233.

Owner Assaf Ben David and experienced Executive Chef Matthew Butcher has opened this 150 seat, 5 star restaurant as their website says with an "infusion of style, elegance and charm." The site goes on to quote the chef saying: 'We've turned the kosher meal into a heavenly experience, an assault on your senses of the sweetest kind. We are the change you've hungered for and the enticing adventure you deserve. We also think that everyone should be able to eat like a king, without needing to be royalty to afford it. Value for money is at the core of our beliefs. While a delicious dining experience comes at a cost, it needn't cost the earth." Address: 67 Kooyong Road, Caulfield North, VIC, Australia 3161. Phone: (03) 9500 8216. Email: reservations@shilohmelbourne.com.

Elan�Kornblum, also known as "The Restaurant Guy" is the Publisher and President of Great Kosher Restaurants International,
the award-winning, full-color worldwide publication and its accompanying website. �Elan�has covered the kosher restaurant
industry for the last 10 years and is the leading authority when it comes to kosher restaurants.